A1 About WebCT

8/3/2019 A1 About WebCT

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1. About WebCT

About WebCT

About WebCT .................................................................................................................................... 1

What is WebCT and how can it be used? ......................................................................................... 1

What do you need to use WebCT? .................................................................................................... 1

System Requirements .............................................................................................................. 1

Skills .......................................................................................................................................... 2

Which types of content can be used? ................................................................................... 2

Integration with other software .......................................................................................................... 3

Support and training ........................................................................................................................... 3

Scheduled Workshops ............................................................................................................. 3

Course design consultation .................................................................................................... 4

Support for School-based support staff ................................................................................ 5

Technical Advice ...................................................................................................................... 5

Web site and contact details ................................................................................................... 5

What is WebCT and how can it be used?

WebCT (Web Course Tools) is a VLE (Virtual Learning Environment). This is an application thatenables teaching staff to provide access to course materials and resources, to support and

manage class projects and assessments and to communicate online with students. For example,

WebCT can be employed in any of the following ways:

To create a complete integrated course on the Web (e.g. distance learning course)

To facilitate a group project using the online discussion tool and links to material

For online class discussion and tutorials

For revision and self-assessment exercises using the Quiz tool

As a means of presenting multimedia materials, for example music, poetry, video

As a gateway to a selection of external URLs for research purposes

To facilitate online student presentations (individual or group Web pages)

To provide supplementary information or facilities (e.g. online course guide)

To place lecture notes online, and support them with Web links, glossary and search tools

What do you need to use WebCT?

System RequirementsTo design and deliver a course in WebCT you need an Internet connection and a current web

browser such as Internet Explorer (v6 or above) or Netscape (v7.2 or above). Java is required for

some WebCT components, such as Chat.

University of Aberdeen, August 2003 Centre for Learning & Teaching

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1. About WebCT

If you are using an unsupported browser or Java version, a message informing you of this will be

displayed upon entering WebCT. You can also check your browser and whether it is supported by

entering WebCT and clicking on the Check Browser link in the panel at the top of the My WebCT

page. This page will also provide information on supported browsers, and links for downloading

them and the Java software.

If you are installing an updated version of Internet Explorer, visit the Universitys web page

http://www.abdn.ac.uk/diss/ie6for detailed information and easy-to-follow instructions. Please

note that Internet Explorer (IE) is the Universitys recommended Internet browser.

If you have problems updating your browser and settings, contact the Help Desk at

[email protected] call extn 3636.

If you have problems accessing WebCT from off-campus, this may be due to firewallor virus protection software on your computer. For more information see theinformation page Using WebCT off-campus: common problems and solutions athttp://www.abdn.ac.uk/webct/factsheets/webctoffampushelp.htm

SkillsWebCT itself is easy to use, and basic Windows file management skills along with an

understanding of the Internet are the only pre-requisite skills. Any additional skill requirements

are related to the type of files you put into WebCT (see table below).

Which types of content can be used?The table below lists the main file types that can be uploaded and used in WebCT:

File types: Use for: Create in/source: Support/training:

HTML files Course content

and supporting

materials;

instructions for

projects/tutorials.

Files can be created by

either:

Typing/pasting directly

into WebCTs HTML

editor

Using an HTML

application, such as

Dreamweaver

Converting from Word

(can cause problems

with formatting)

For queries on WebCTs

HTML Editor, contact

[email protected], extn

3765

For Dreamweaver Courses

(run by the Web Design

Unit), see

http://www.abdn.ac.uk/web/c

ourses.hti

Files for

external

applications

such as

Word,

Excel,

PowerPoin

t

Course guides,

reading lists,

data for projects,

lecture notes;

supporting

material and

guidelines for

projects/tutorials.

Word, Excel, PowerPoint

Or have PowerPoint files

compressed for quicker

downloading (especially

helpful for distance

delivery) this can

include audio narratives.

Courses in Word, Excel,

PowerPoint:

http://www.abdn.ac.uk/diss/ta

d/courses/

Impatica information and

support at

[email protected], extn

3765

Image files:

.gif

and .jpg

Illustration and

diagrams. Can

also be used for

icons, and forlogos or banners

at the top of e.g.

From:

Own photographs

Free sources on the Web

Image editing software

Contact [email protected],

extn 3765 with initial queries.


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File types: Use for: Create in/source: Support/training:

Home pages.

Multimedia

files (video

and audioclips) such

as

.avi, .mpg

and .mp3;

also

animations

and Flash

movies

Illustration,

example,

simulation,resources.

From:

Own video/audio recordings

and other sources.

Contact [email protected],

extn 3765 with initial queries

Integration with other software

If you are using Question Mark Perceptionfor delivering online assessment, you can place a

direct link from your WebCT course to a test. Students who are already logged on to WebCT can

access the test without logging on again, and their results are automatically returned to the Grade

Book in WebCT. A similar link will be available for Turnitin, the plagiarism detection software,

from the beginning of AY 2006/7.

Support and training

WebCT is supported at Aberdeen by the Centre for Learning & Teaching. If you have any queries

about using WebCT, or if you would like to discuss an idea for your course, please contact us at

[email protected], or call extn 3765.

Scheduled Workshops

All scheduled workshops can be booked online at:http://www.abdn.ac.uk/diss/tad/courses/

WebCT course development workshops

These regular workshops are aimed at both new and existing users of WebCT. If you already

have a WebCT site you can use this session for uploading further materials, adding tools or

making other changes to your site. If you are a new user this workshop begins with an introduction

to WebCT and a demonstration of the basic tasks. After this you begin to work on the

development of your WebCT site using your own teaching materials, with the workshop leaders on

hand to discuss your ideas and to provide advice, examples demonstrations as required.

WebCT clinics

WebCT clinics are drop-in sessions aimed at existing users of WebCT. Come along with any

questions or ideas you have regarding your WebCT site and explore ways in which you candevelop it further. Or simply use this session to upload new materials or to edit and update those


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previously uploaded.

Tools workshops

In addition to the generic workshops above we run sessions on using the specialist WebCT tools.

Find out how to use the assessment tool to build online tests for self-assessment, skills audits,

revision and pre-tutorial investigations, or look at ways to use tools such as discussion and chat

for collaborative work and projects.

We also offer, in collaboration with the School of Education, a workshop on Tutoring online in

WebCT. This workshop covers areas such as induction, how to design and online discussion, the

role of moderators and designing individual and group activities.

Tailored workshops for Schools & programme teams

We provide workshops for Schools and programme teams on request. These workshops are

developed in consultation with Heads of School, School representatives or Programme co-ordinators. They are designed to reflect a local implementation of WebCT and any relevant

factors such as distance learning issues or assessment strategies, or to focus training around a

School WebCT template where one is in use. The workshops are often co-presented with a

member of School staff.

If you would like to arrange a workshop for your School or programme, on any aspect of WebCT,

please contact us at [email protected], or call extension 3765.

School & programme templates

Several Schools now use a template for WebCT courses. This ensures a consistent set of School-

specific links and a familiar look-and-feel for all courses. Teaching staff requesting a WebCT site

are provided with the template used in their School. They can upload materials and extend the

structure as required. Templates can also be provided for individual programmes

To view some examples of templates that have already been developed for Schools, go to

http://webct.abdn.ac.uk/ and log on as templateguest for both username and password. If you

would like to discuss a template for your School or programme please contact us at

[email protected], or call extension 3765.

Course design consultation

We work with individuals and course teams to help in the development of WebCT course and

programme sites. Depending on your requirements these consultations might take the form of a

single meeting or a series of joint development sessions when we work on your course with you.

We will discuss your ideas with you and help you to find the most appropriate solutions as regards

the tools used and the structure of your site, and can advise on accessibility, usability and

pedagogical design issues. Other services, such as training for support staff or documentation for

students, are also available as required.


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Support for School-based support staff

In most Schools WebCT is supported on a day-to-day basis by secretarial staff. We provide

training sessions on request specifically for support staff within a School, either on a group or one-

to-one basis.

We can also advise and assist in the development of structures and strategies for administration

of a Schools WebCT courses, including content and student management.

Technical Advice

If you have any technical problems with using WebCT, please contact us at [email protected] or

call extn 3765.

Web site and contact details

Our WebCT information site at http://www.abdn.ac.uk/webct/ provides a range of

documentation and details of training events, as well as a Web-based form for applying for a blank

WebCT course.

For further information on any of the above, contact [email protected] or call extn 3765.


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